Professor Abubakar Siddique, Director, Centre for Democratic Development Research, and Training, Zaria, has insisted there were moves to site the United States and France millitary bases in Nigeria.
Although the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Monday, described as “false” the claim that the Nigerian government was considering establishing such a military base in the country.
Siddique claimed that ministers in illiberal democracies or totalitarian regimes often don’t know what takes place behind the scenes, saying he pities the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris.
He made the statement while fielding questions on Arise Television’s News programme on Monday.
Siddique said they are happy that the federal government has backpedaled.
“Many of us have decades of research experience; thirty, forty years of research experience. So, we don’t just write or say things lightly. We are sure of our facts.
“I pity ministers who serve in illiberal democracies or totalitarian regimes. Quite often, they don’t know what takes place behind the scenes. I pity the Minister of Information. You know I respect hhim,but he does what he has been asked to do. Before we came out, he had to do our research extensively in Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and in Mali.
“We are happy that the federal government has backpedaled. That’s our objective. We are struggling to ensure that whatever is left of our political independence is not further eroded. And now that the government has come out to say there’s nothing like that, even when we know there were moves to actually get Nigeria to sign this agreement. That’s not even an agreement because of what is imposed on it.”
US, France military bases: We are sure of fact, I pity Minister of Information – Siddique